Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
  • H01M10/06—Lead-acid accumulators
  • H01M10/12—Construction or manufacture
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/04—Hybrid capacitors
  • H01G11/06—Hybrid capacitors with one of the electrodes allowing ions to be reversibly doped thereinto, e.g. lithium ion capacitors [LIC]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/10—Multiple hybrid or EDL capacitors, e.g. arrays or modules
  • H01G11/12—Stacked hybrid or EDL capacitors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/30—Electrodes characterised by their material
  • H01G11/32—Carbon-based
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/22—Electrodes
  • H01G11/30—Electrodes characterised by their material
  • H01G11/46—Metal oxides
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/66—Current collectors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/66—Current collectors
  • H01G11/68—Current collectors characterised by their material
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01G—CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES OR LIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
  • H01G11/00—Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodes; Electric double-layer [EDL] capacitors; Processes for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof
  • H01G11/78—Cases; Housings; Encapsulations; Mountings
  • H01G11/82—Fixing or assembling a capacitive element in a housing, e.g. mounting electrodes, current collectors or terminals in containers or encapsulations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/36—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids
  • H01M4/48—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
  • H01M4/50—Selection of substances as active materials, active masses, active liquids of inorganic oxides or hydroxides of manganese
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
  • H01M4/66—Selection of materials
  • H01M4/663—Selection of materials containing carbon or carbonaceous materials as conductive part, e.g. graphite, carbon fibres
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
  • H01M4/66—Selection of materials
  • H01M4/665—Composites
  • H01M4/667—Composites in the form of layers, e.g. coatings
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M4/00—Electrodes
  • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
  • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
  • H01M4/66—Selection of materials
  • H01M4/68—Selection of materials for use in lead-acid accumulators
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/10—Primary casings, jackets or wrappings of a single cell or a single battery
  • H01M50/116—Primary casings, jackets or wrappings of a single cell or a single battery characterised by the material
  • H01M50/121—Organic material
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/10—Primary casings, jackets or wrappings of a single cell or a single battery
  • H01M50/172—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing
  • H01M50/174—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing adapted for the shape of the cells
  • H01M50/176—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing adapted for the shape of the cells for prismatic or rectangular cells
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
  • H01M50/528—Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
  • H01M50/531—Electrode connections inside a battery casing
  • H01M50/534—Electrode connections inside a battery casing characterised by the material of the leads or tabs
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
  • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
  • H01M50/531—Electrode connections inside a battery casing
  • H01M50/54—Connection of several leads or tabs of plate-like electrode stacks, e.g. electrode pole straps or bridges
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
  • H01M2300/0002—Aqueous electrolytes
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
  • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to aqueous batteries and hybrid energy storage devices, and in particular to electrochemical storage devices without metal parts in contact with the aqueous electrolyte.
• Small renewable energy harvesting and power generation technologies such as solar arrays, wind turbines, micro sterling engines, and solid oxide fuel cells.
• An embodiment relates to an electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the electrochemical device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells, an anode bus operatively connected to the anodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack and a cathode bus operatively connected to the cathodes of the electrochemical cells in the stack.
• the housing, the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, the separator, the anode bus and the cathode bus are non- metallic.
• Non-metallic in the context of this patent specification means electrically conductive materials which are not made of pure metal or metal alloys. Examples of non- metallic materials include, but are not limited to, electrically conductive metal oxides or carbon.
• Another embodiment relates to a method of making an electrochemical device.
• the method includes stacking a first non-metallic anode electrode, stacking a first non- metallic separator on the anode electrode and stacking a first non-metallic cathode electrode on the separator.
• the method also includes operatively connecting the first anode electrode to a non-metallic anode bus and operatively connecting the first cathode electrode to a non- metallic cathode bus.
• An embodiment relates to an electrochemical device that includes a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the device also includes a plurality of carbon cathode and anode current collectors alternately located between adjacent electrochemical cells and a plurality of tabs operatively connected to the plurality of carbon cathode and anode current collectors, the plurality of tabs configured to connect to an electrical bus.
• a cathode electrode of a first electrochemical cell electrically contacts a first cathode current collector.
• a cathode electrode of a second electrochemical cell electrically contacts the first cathode current collector.
• the second electrochemical cell is located adjacent to a first side of the first electrochemical cell in the stack.
• An anode electrode of the first electrochemical cell electrically contacts a second anode current collector.
• An anode electrode of a third electrochemical cell electrically contacts the second anode current collector.
• the third electrochemical cell is located adjacent to a second side of the first electrochemical cell in the stack.
• an electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes a pressed granular anode electrode, a pressed granular cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the electrochemical device also includes a plurality of cathode and anode current collectors alternately located between adjacent electrochemical cells.
• a cathode electrode of a first electrochemical cell electrically contacts a first cathode current collector.
• a cathode electrode of a second electrochemical cell electrically contacts the first cathode current collector.
• the second electrochemical cell is located adjacent to a first side of the first electrochemical cell in the stack.
• An anode electrode of the first electrochemical cell electrically contacts a second anode current collector and an anode electrode of a third electrochemical cell electrically contacts the second anode current collector.
• the third electrochemical cell is located adjacent to a second side of the first electrochemical cell in the stack.
• an electrochemical device that includes a housing and a plurality of stacks of electrochemical cells arranged side by side in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the device also includes a current collector located between adjacent electrochemical cells in each of the stacks.
• the separator of at least one cell comprises a separator sheet which extends continuously between at least two of the plurality of stacks.
• An embodiment relates to an electrochemical device including a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the electrochemical device also includes a graphite sheet located between adjacent electrochemical cells in the stack. The graphite sheet is a current collector for adjacent electrochemical cells.
• Another embodiment relates to an electrochemical cell including an anode electrode with a plurality of discrete anode electrode members separated by anode boundary areas and a cathode electrode with a plurality of discrete cathode electrode members separated by cathode boundary areas.
• the electrochemical cell also includes a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and an electrolyte.
• the electrolyte is located in the separator and in the anode electrode and cathode electrode boundary areas. Further, at least 50% of the anode boundary areas are not aligned with a respective cathode boundary areas across the separator.
• Another embodiment relates to a method of making an electrochemical device having a stack of electrochemical cells.
• the method includes forming a stack
• electrochemical cells and pouring an electrically insulating polymer around the stack of electrochemical cells and solidifying the polymer to form a solid insulating shell or providing a preformed solid insulating shell around the stack of electrochemical cells.
• Another embodiment relates to a method of making an electrochemical device.
• the method includes stacking an anode electrode comprising a plurality of discrete anode electrode members separated by anode boundary areas, stacking a separator on the anode electrode and stacking a cathode electrode comprising a plurality of discrete cathode electrode members separated by cathode boundary areas on the separator. At least 50% of the anode boundary areas are not aligned with a respective cathode boundary areas across the separator and the plurality of anode electrode members and the plurality of cathode electrode members are arranged in an array of rows and columns.
• the secondary hybrid aqueous energy storage device includes a housing and a stack of electrochemical cells in the housing.
• Each electrochemical cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a separator located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, an electrolyte and a graphite sheet located between adjacent electrochemical cells.
• the anode and cathode electrodes are between 0.05 and 1 cm thick.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prismatic stack of electrochemical cells according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a detail of a sandwiched current collector according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrochemical device having a plurality of prismatic stacks of electrochemical cells according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electrochemical device having a single prismatic stack of electrochemical cells according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the electrochemical cells removed for clarity.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross sectional view illustrating details of a portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.
• FIG. 8 is a plot of cell potential versus cell capacity of an embodiment.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the electrochemical cell may be stacked in a bipolar or prismatic stack configuration.
• FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an electrochemical cell with an anode electrode composed of discrete anode electrode members and a cathode electrode composed of discrete cathode electrode members according to an embodiment.
• the electrochemical cell may be stacked in a bipolar or prismatic stack configuration.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of an electrochemical device comprising a bipolar stack of electrochemical cells according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 12(a) is a plot of cell potential vs. accumulated capacity under charge and discharge conditions over 30 cycles.
• Figure 12(b) is a plot of cell charge and discharge capacity and efficiency as a function of cycle.
• Embodiments of the invention are drawn to electrochemical energy storage systems, such as primary and secondary batteries and hybrid energy storage systems described below. While secondary hybrid aqueous energy storage systems described below are preferred embodiments of the invention, the invention is also applicable to any suitable electrochemical energy storage systems, such as aqueous and non-aqueous electrolyte containing batteries (e.g., having anodes and cathodes which intercalate ions from the electrolyte, including Li-ion batteries, etc.) or electrolytic capacitors (also known as supercapacitors and ultracapacitors, e.g., having capacitor or pseudocapacitor anode and cathode electrodes that store charge through a reversible nonfaradiac reaction of cations on the surface of the electrode (double-layer) and/or pseudocapacitance rather than by intercalating alkali ions).
• batteries e.g., having anodes and cathodes which intercalate ions from the electrolyte, including Li-ion batteries, etc.
• Hybrid electrochemical energy storage systems of embodiments of the present invention include a double-layer capacitor or pseudocapacitor electrode (e.g., anode) coupled with an active electrode (e.g., cathode).
• the capacitor or pseudocapacitor electrode stores charge through a reversible nonfaradiac reaction of alkali cations on the surface of the electrode (double-layer) and/or pseudocapacitance, while the active electrode undergoes a reversible faradic reaction in a transition metal oxide that intercalates and deintercalates alkali cations similar to that of a battery.
• the cathode electrode may comprise a non-intercalating (e.g., non-alkali ion intercalating) Mn0 2 phase.
• non-intercalating phases of manganese dioxide include electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), alpha phase and gamma phase.
• FIG 1 illustrates a prismatic stack 100P of electrochemical cells 102 according to an embodiment.
• each of the electrochemical cells 102 in the prismatic stack 100P includes an anode electrode 104, a cathode electrode 106, and a separator 108 located between the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106.
• the electrochemical cells 102 also include an electrolyte located between the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 (i.e., impregnated in the separator and/or the electrodes).
• Each of the electrochemical cells 102 of the prismatic stack 100P may be mounted in a frame 112 (see Figures 9-10).
• the prismatic stack 100P may be enclosed in a housing 116 (see Figures 3-6) instead of or in addition to. Additional features of the housing 116 are provided in more detail below in relation to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3-6. Further embodiments of the electrochemical cells 102 are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 and discussed in more detail below.
• the prismatic stack 100P also includes a plurality of carbon cathode and anode current collectors 110a, 110c alternately located between adjacent electrochemical cells 102.
• the current collectors may comprise any suitable form of electrically conductive carbon, such as, exfoliated graphite, carbon fiber paper, or an inert substrate coated with carbon material. Preferably, the collectors comprise graphite having a density greater than 0.6 g/cm .
• the prismatic stack 100P includes a plurality of electrically conductive contacts (e.g., tabs) 120 operatively connected to the plurality of carbon cathode and anode current collectors 110a, 110c.
• the electrically conductive contacts 120 may be affixed to one side of the carbon cathode and anode current collectors 110a, 110c.
• the electrically conductive contacts 120 may be located in between two carbon current collectors 110a or 110c, making a sandwich structure 110s.
• the prismatic stack 100P also includes two electrical buses 122a, 122c.
• One electrical bus 122a electrically connected to the anode current collectors 110a in the prismatic stack 100P and one electrical bus connected 122c to the cathode current collectors 110c in the prismatic stack 100P.
• the electrical connection from the anode and cathode current collectors 110a, 110c to the electrical buses 122a, 122c is via the electrically conductive contacts 120. In this manner, the electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100P can be electrically connected in parallel.
• the positive cathode bus 122c electrically connects the cathode electrodes 106 of the electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100P in parallel to a positive electrical output of the stack
• the negative anode bus 122a electrically connects the anode electrodes 104 of the electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100P in parallel to a negative electrical output of the stack 100P.
• the cathode current collector 110c may be located in between adjacent electrochemical cells 102. That is, pairs of electrochemical cells 102 are configured "front-to-front" and "back-to-back.” As an example, consider a prismatic stack 100P in which the first electrochemical cell 102 is in the center of the stack 100P. In a first pair of cells 102 the first cathode current collector 110c is located such that a cathode electrode 106 of the first electrochemical cell 102 electrically contacts the first cathode current collector 110c and a cathode electrode 106 of a second electrochemical cell 102 also electrically contacts the first cathode current collector 110c. The second electrochemical cell 102 is located adjacent to a first (cathode) side of the first electrochemical cell in the prismatic stack 100P.
• a third electrochemical cell 102 is located adjacent to the second (anode) side of the first electrochemical cell 102 in the prismatic stack 100P.
• the anode electrode 104 of the first electrochemical cell 102 electrically contacts a first anode current collector 110a and the anode electrode 104 of the third electrochemical cell 102 also electrically contacts the first anode current collector 110a.
• Stacking can continue in this manner.
• the resulting prismatic stack 100P therefore may include a plurality of electrochemical cells 102 that are stacked in pairs, front-to-front and back-to-back, alternating adjacent anode electrodes 104 and adjacent cathode electrodes 106.
• the prismatic stack 100P may be described in terms of an axial direction.
• the axial direction is parallel to the buses 122a, 122c.
• the electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100P are stacked in an axial direction along an axis of the stack 100P.
• Each of the odd or even numbered electrochemical cells 120 in the stack have a cathode electrode 106 facing a first end of the axis of the stack 100P and an anode electrode 104 facing the opposite, second end of the axis of the stack 100P.
• Each of the other ones of the even or odd numbered electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100P have a cathode electrode 106 facing the second end of the axis of the stack 100P and an anode electrode 104 facing the opposite, first end of the axis of the stack 100P.
• the prismatic stack 100P includes electrochemical cells 102 in which the anode electrode 104 and/or the cathode electrode 106 are made of pressed granular pellets.
• the anode electrode 104 and cathode electrode 106 may be between 0.05 and 1 cm thick.
• the anode electrode 104 and cathode electrode 106 are between 0.05 and 0.15 cm thick. Boundary areas between the pressed granular pellets may provide reservoirs for electrolyte, as will be described in more detail below.
• the electrochemical cells 102 are secondary hybrid aqueous energy storage devices.
• the cathode electrode 106 in operation reversibly intercalates alkali metal cations.
• the anode electrode 104 may comprise a capacitive electrode which stores charge through a reversible nonfaradiac reaction of alkali metal cations on a surface of the anode electrode 104 or a pseudocapacitive electrode which undergoes a partial charge transfer surface interaction with alkali metal cations on a surface of the anode electrode 104.
• the anode is a pseudocapacitive or electrochemical double layer capacitive material that is electrochemically stable to less than - 1.3 V vs.
• the cathode electrode 106 may comprise a doped or undoped cubic spinel -Mn0 2 -type material or NaMngOis tunnel structured orthorhombic material and the anode electrode 104 may comprise activated carbon.
• the cathode electrode may comprise a non-intercalating ⁇ 0 2 phase, such as electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), alpha or gamma phase.
• EMD electrolytic manganese dioxide
• the electrochemical device 300 includes eight stacks 100P of electrochemical cells 102 in a two by four array.
• any number of stacks 100P may be included.
• the electrochemical device 300 may include two stacks 100P in a one by two array, three stacks 100P in a one by three array, twelve stacks 100P in a three by four array, or 25 stacks 100P in a five by five array.
• the exact number of stacks 100P may be selected according to the desire or power needs of the end user.
• the electrochemical device 300 preferably includes a housing 116.
• the housing 116 includes a base 116b and a plurality of sidewall members 116a.
• the electrochemical cells 102 in each of the plurality of stacks 100P are exposed along their edges but are constrained by the housing 116.
• the housing 116 provides pressure through each stack 100P, thereby keeping the stacks 100P of the electrochemical device 300 secure.
• the anode electrodes 104 and the cathode electrodes 106 of the electrochemical cells 102 in each of the plurality of stacks 100P are partially or completely covered and constrained along their edges. This may be accomplished, for example, by mounting the anode electrodes 104 and the cathode electrodes 106 of each cell 102 in a frame 112, as shown in Figure 9.
• the housing 116 may include a base 116b and a single, unitary sidewall member 116a, similar to a bell jar.
• the separator 108 and/or the anode current collector 110a and/or the cathode current collector 110c of at least one electrochemical cell 102 extends continuously between at least two of the plurality of stacks 100P.
• the separator 108, the anode current collector 110a and the cathode current collector 110c extend continuously between all of the stacks 100P in the electrochemical device 300. In this manner, the electrochemical device 300 can be easily and inexpensively fabricated.
• the cathode electrode 106 and the anode electrode 104 of each cell 102 in the stacks 100P of cells preferably do not extend continuously to another cell 102 in another one of the stacks 100P.
• the electrochemical device 300 further includes a combined positive bus and first end plate 122c which electrically connects all positive outputs of the plurality of the stacks and a combined negative bus and second end plate 122a which electrically connects all negative outputs of the plurality of the stacks 100P.
• the base 116b may include external electrical contacts 124 which allow the electrochemical device 300 to be quickly and easily attached to a load.
• the electrochemical device 300 is a hybrid electrochemical device described above.
• all of the electrochemical cells 102 of the stacks 100P of electrochemical cells 102 are hybrid electrochemical cells.
• the hybrid electrochemical cell 102 may include a cathode electrode 106 that includes doped or undoped cubic spinel -Mn0 2 -type material or
• Other cathode and anode materials may be used as discussed below.
• the device may comprise a secondary battery, such as a Li-ion or Na-ion battery in an alternative
• the electrochemical device 500 as illustrated includes a single prismatic stack 100P of electrochemical cells 102. More than one stack may be used.
• the single prismatic stack 100P of electrochemical cells 102 is located in a housing 116.
• the electrochemical device 500 includes an anode bus 122a and a cathode bus 122c.
• Each of the anodes 104 in the electrochemical cells 102 in the prismatic stack 100P is electrically connected via anode current collectors 110a to the anode bus 122a. In this embodiment, the anodes 104 are connected in parallel.
• each of the cathodes 106 in the electrochemical cells 102 in the prismatic stack 100P is electrically connected to the cathode bus 122c via cathode current collectors 110c.
• the cathodes 106 are connected in parallel.
• the anode current collectors 110a and the cathode current collectors 110c are connected to their respective anode bus 122a and cathode bus 122c with conductive tabs 120. The current collectors 110a.
• the electrochemical device 500 also includes external electrical contacts 124 to provide electricity from the electrochemical device 500 to an external device or circuit.
• the external electrical contacts 124 are located on top of the anode bus 122a and the cathode bus 122c. Alternatively, the contacts may be located on the bottom or sides of the buses. The contacts may be located on the same or different sides of the device.
• all of the components of the electrochemical device 500 that typically come in contact with the electrolyte are made of non-metallic materials.
• the current collectors 110, the buses 122 and tabs 120 may be made of any suitable electrically conductive form of carbon.
• the buses and tabs may be made of graphite, carbon fiber, or a carbon based conducting composite (e.g., polymer matrix containing carbon fiber or filler material).
• the housing 116 may be made of, but is not limited to, an electrochemically inert and electrically insulating polymer.
• the electrochemical device 500 is resistant to corrosion.
• the buses 122 do not contact the electrolyte (i.e., the tabs extend through a seal material to external buses), then the buses may be made of metal.
• the external electrical contacts 124 may be made of a metallic material.
• the buses 122 are surrounded by a hermetic seal 114 located between the top of the buses 122 the top of the prismatic stack 100P of electrochemical cells 102 and the contacts 124.
• the seal may comprise a polymer or epoxy material which is impervious to electrolyte and oxygen, such as poly-based epoxy, glue, calk or melt sealed polymer.
• the buses 122 may be connected to the contacts 124 by soldering, bolts, clamps, and/or pressure provided by the seal material. In this manner, the external electrical contacts 124 can be isolated from the electrolyte, thereby allowing the external electrical contacts 124 to be made of a metallic material, such as copper. This way, only the metal contacts or interconnects 124 protrude from the seal 114 area of the housing 116.
• Figure 8 is a plot of cell potential versus cell capacity of an embodiment of an electrochemical device 500. As can be seen in the plot, a high cell capacity, such as greater than 1200 mAh for voltage of 0.5V and below can be achieved.
• FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an electrochemical cell 102.
• the electrochemical cell 102 includes an anode electrode 104, a cathode electrode 106 and a separator 108 between the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106.
• the electrochemical cell 102 also includes an electrolyte located between the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106.
• the separator 108 may be porous with electrolyte located in the pores.
• the electrolyte may be aqueous or non-aqueous.
• the electrochemical cell 102 may also include a graphite sheet 110 that acts as a current collector for the electrochemical cell 102.
• the graphite sheet 110 is densified.
• the density of the graphite sheet 110 is greater than 0.6 g/cm .
• the graphite sheet 110 may be made from, for example, exfoliated graphite.
• the graphite sheet 110 may include one or more foil layers. Suitable materials for the anode electrode 104, the cathode electrode 106, the separator 108 and the electrolyte are discussed in more detail below. [0048]
• the anode electrode 104, the cathode electrode 106, the separator 108 and the graphite sheet current collector 110 may be mounted in a frame 112 which seals each individual cell.
• the frame 112 is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, for example, an electrically insulating plastic or epoxy.
• the frame 112 may be made from preformed rings, poured epoxy or a combination of the two. In an embodiment, the frame 112 may comprise separate anode and cathode frames.
• the graphite sheet current collector 110 may be configured to act as a seal 114 with the frame 112. That is, the graphite sheet current collector 110 may extend into a recess in the frame 112 to act as the seal 114. In this embodiment, the seal 114 prevents electrolyte from flowing from one electrochemical cell 102 to an adjacent electrochemical cell 102.
• a separate seal 114 such as a washer or gasket, may be provided such that the graphite sheet current collector does not perform as a seal.
• the electrochemical cell is a hybrid electrochemical cell. That is, the cathode electrode 106 in operation reversibly intercalates alkali metal cations and the anode electrode 104 comprises a capacitive electrode which stores charge through either (1) a reversible nonfaradiac reaction of alkali metal cations on a surface of the anode electrode or (2) a pseudocapacitive electrode which undergoes a partial charge transfer surface interaction with alkali metal cations on a surface of the anode electrode.
• FIG 11 illustrates a bipolar stack 100B of electrochemical cells 102 according to another embodiment.
• the bipolar stack 100B operates with a single graphite sheet current collector 110 located between the cathode electrode 106 of one electrochemical cell 102 and the anode electrode 104 of an adjacent electrochemical cell 102.
• bipolar stack 100B only uses half as many current collectors as the conventional stack of electrochemical cells.
• the bipolar stack 100B is enclosed in an outer housing 116 and provided with conducting headers 118 on the top and bottom of the bipolar stack 100B.
• the headers 118 preferably comprise a corrosion resistant current collector metal, including but not limited to, aluminum, nickel, titanium and stainless steel.
• pressure is applied to the bipolar stack 100B when assembled. The pressure aids in providing good seals to prevent leakage of electrolyte.
• the electrochemical cell 102 is a secondary hybrid aqueous energy storage device.
• the anode electrode 104 and cathode electrode 106 may be between 0.05 and 1 cm thick, such as between 0.05 and 0.15 cm thick.
• Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.
• the anode electrode 104 may include discrete anode electrode members 104a separated by anode boundary areas 104b.
• the cathode electrode 106 may include discrete cathode electrode members 106a separated by cathode boundary areas 106b.
• the anode electrode 104 includes two discrete anode electrode members 104a and the cathode electrode 106 includes three discrete cathode electrode members 106a.
• the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 may include any number of discrete anode electrode members 104a and discrete cathode electrode members 106a, respectively.
• the anode boundary areas 104b and the cathode boundary areas 106b may comprise electrolyte filled voids.
• Figure 10 only illustrates a cross section in one dimension.
• a cross sectional view in an orthogonal direction may also illustrate the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 having discrete anode electrode members 104a and discrete cathode electrode members 106a. That is, the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 may comprise a two dimensional checkerboard pattern.
• the discrete anode electrode members 104a and discrete cathode electrode members 106a may be arranged in an array of rows and columns.
• the individual discrete anode electrode members 104a and discrete cathode electrode members 106a may, for example, be square or rectangular in shape.
• the inventors have found that providing the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 with a different number of discrete anode electrode members 104a and discrete cathode electrode members 106a improves the structural integrity of electrochemical cells 102.
• the anode rows and columns are offset from the cathode rows and columns.
• at least 50%, such as 50-100%, including 75-95% of the anode boundary areas 104b are not aligned with a respective cathode boundary areas 106b across the separator 108.
• the anode electrode 104 and the cathode electrode 106 may include the same number of discrete anode electrode members 104a as discrete cathode electrode members 106a.
• either the anode electrode 104 or the cathode electrode 106 may comprise a single unitary sheet while the other electrode comprises a checkerboard pattern of discrete members.
• the anode electrode members 104a and the cathode electrode members 106a are made from rolled sheet or pressed pellets of activated carbon and manganese oxide, respectively.
• Another embodiment is drawn to a method of making an electrochemical device of Figure 10, which includes the steps of (1) stacking an anode electrode 104 that includes a plurality of discrete anode electrode members 104a separated by anode boundary areas 104b, (2) stacking a separator 108 on the anode electrode 104 and (3) stacking a cathode electrode 106 comprising a plurality of discrete cathode electrode members 106a separated by cathode boundary areas 106b on the separator 108.
• the method may also include a step of stacking a graphite sheet current collector 110 on the cathode electrode 106.
• the anode electrode members 104a and/or the cathode electrode members 106b may be formed by cutting the members 104a, 106a from a rolled sheet of anode or cathode material, or by pressing a pellet of anode or cathode material.
• Another embodiment of the invention is drawn to a method of making a stack 100B, 100P of electrochemical cells 102.
• the method may include the steps of forming a stack electrochemical cells and pouring an electrically insulating polymer around the stack 100B,P of electrochemical cells 102.
• the method may also include the step of solidifying the polymer to form a solid insulating shell or frame 112.
• the method may include the step of providing a preformed solid insulating shell 112 around the stack of
• the polymer may be, but is not limited to, an epoxy or an acrylic.
• the method may also include affixing conducting end plate headers 118 shown in Figure 11, to the top and bottom of the stack 110.
• the stack 110 and the solid insulating shell or frame 112 may then be placed in a hollow cylindrical shell or outer housing 116.
• the method also includes placing a graphite sheet current collector 110 between adjacent electrochemical cells 102 in the stack 100B,P of electrochemical cells 102.
• each electrochemical cell 102 in the stack 100B,P of electrochemical cells 102 comprises an anode electrode 104 having an active anode area and a cathode electrode 106 having an active cathode area.
• the graphite sheet current collector 110 may have an area larger than the active anode area and the active cathode area to act as a seal as shown in Figure 9.
• Cathode Several materials comprising a transition metal oxide, sulfide, phosphate, or fluoride can be used as active cathode materials capable of reversible Na-ion intercalation / deintercalation.
• Materials suitable for use as active cathode materials in embodiments of the present invention preferably contain alkali atoms, such as sodium, lithium, or both, prior to use as active cathode materials. It is not necessary for an active cathode material to contain Na and/or Li in the as-formed state (that is, prior to use in an energy storage device).
• materials that may be used as cathodes in the present invention comprise materials that do not necessarily contain Na in an as-formed state, but are capable of reversible intercalation / deintercalation of Na-ions during discharging / charging cycles of the energy storage device without a large overpotential loss.
• the active cathode material contains alkali-atoms
• Suitable active cathode materials may have the following general formula during use: A x M y O z , where A is Na or a mixture of Na and one or more of Li, K, Be, Mg, and Ca, where x is within the range of 0 to 1, inclusive, before use and within the range of 0 to 10, inclusive, during use; M comprises any one or more transition metal, where y is within the range of 1 to 3, inclusive; preferably within the range of 1.5 and 2.5, inclusive; and O is oxygen, where z is within the range of 2 to 7, inclusive; preferably within the range of 3.5 to 4.5, inclusive.
• A comprises at least 50 at% of at least one or more of Na, K, Be, Mg, or Ca, optionally in combination with Li; M comprises any one or more transition metal; O is oxygen; x ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 before use and from 1 to 10 during use; y ranges from 8.5 to 9.5 and z ranges from 17.5 to 18.5.
• A preferably comprises at least 51 at% Na, such as at least 75 at% Na, and 0 to 49 at%, such as 0 to 25 at%, Li, K, Be, Mg, or Ca; M comprises one or more of Mn, Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, V, or Sc; x is about 4 before use and ranges from 0 to 10 during use; y is about 9; and z is about 18.
• A comprises Na or a mix of at least 80 atomic percent Na and one or more of Li, K, Be, Mg, and Ca.
• x is preferably about 1 before use and ranges from 0 to about 1.5 during use.
• M comprises one or more of Mn, Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and V, and may be doped (less than 20 at%, such as 0.1 to 10 at%; for example, 3 to 6 at%) with one or more of Al, Mg, Ga, In, Cu, Zn, and Ni.
• Suitable active cathode materials include (but are not limited to) the layered/orthorhombic NaM0 2 (birnessite), the cubic spinel based manganate (e.g., ⁇ 0 2 , such as ⁇ - ⁇ 0 2 based material where M is Mn, e.g., Li x M 2 0 4 (where 1 ⁇ x ⁇ 1.1) before use and Na y Mn 2 0 4 in use), the Na 2 M 3 0 7 system, the NaMP0 4 system, the NaM 2 (P0 4 ) 3 system, the Na 2 MP0 4 F system, and the tunnel- structured Nao. 44 M0 2 , where M in all formula comprises at least one transition metal.
• the cubic spinel based manganate e.g., ⁇ 0 2 , such as ⁇ - ⁇ 0 2 based material where M is Mn, e.g., Li x M 2 0 4 (where 1 ⁇ x ⁇ 1.1) before use and Na y Mn 2
• Typical transition metals may be Mn or Fe (for cost and environmental reasons), although Co, Ni, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, Zr, Nb, W, Mo (among others), or combinations thereof, may be used to wholly or partially replace Mn, Fe, or a combination thereof.
• Mn is a preferred transition metal.
• cathode electrodes may comprise multiple active cathode materials, either in a homogenous or near homogenous mixture or layered within the cathode electrode.
• the initial active cathode material comprises NaMn0 2 (birnassite structure) optionally doped with one or more metals, such as Li or Al.
• the initial active cathode material comprises ⁇ -Mn0 2 (i.e., the cubic isomorph of manganese oxide) based material, optionally doped with one or more metals, such as Li or Al.
• cubic spinel ⁇ -Mn0 2 may be formed by first forming a lithium containing manganese oxide, such as lithium manganate (e.g., cubic spinel LiMn 2 0 4 or non- stoichiometric variants thereof).
• a lithium containing manganese oxide such as lithium manganate (e.g., cubic spinel LiMn 2 0 4 or non- stoichiometric variants thereof).
• most or all of the Li may be extracted electrochemically or chemically from the cubic spinel LiMn 2 0 4 to form cubic spinel ⁇ -Mn0 2 type material (i.e., material which has a 1:2 Mn to O ratio, and/or in which the Mn may be substituted by another metal, and/or which also contains an alkali metal, and/or in which the Mn to O ratio is not exactly 1:2).
• This extraction may take place as part of the initial device charging cycle.
• Li-ions are deintercalated from the as-formed cubic spinel LiMn 2 0 4 during the first charging cycle.
• the formula for the active cathode material during operation is Na y Li x Mn 2 0 4 (optionally doped with one or more additional metal as described above, preferably Al), with 0 ⁇ x ⁇ l, 0 ⁇ y ⁇ l, and x + y ⁇ 1.1.
• the quantity x + y changes through the charge / discharge cycle from about 0 (fully charged) to about 1 (fully discharged).
• values above 1 during full discharge may be used.
• any other suitable formation method may be used.
• Non- stoichiometric Li x Mn 2 0 4 materials with more than 1 Li for every 2 Mn and 4 O atoms may be used as initial materials from which cubic spinel ⁇ -Mn0 2 may be formed (where 1 ⁇ x ⁇ 1.1 for example).
• the cubic spinel ⁇ -manganate may have a formula Al z Li x Mn 2 - z 0 4 where 1 ⁇ x ⁇ 1.1 and 0 ⁇ z ⁇ 0.1 before use, and Al z Li x Na y Mn 2 0 4 where 0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1.1, 0 ⁇ x ⁇ 1, 0 ⁇ x+y ⁇ 1.1, and 0 ⁇ z ⁇ 0.1 in use (and where Al may be substituted by another dopant).
• the initial cathode material comprises Na 2 Mn 3 0 7 , optionally doped with one or more metals, such as Li or Al.
• the initial cathode material comprises Na 2 FeP0 4 F, optionally doped with one or more metals, such as Li or Al.
• the cathode material comprises Nao .44 Mn0 2 , optionally doped with one or more metals, such as Li or Al.
• This active cathode material may be made by thoroughly mixing Na 2 C0 3 and Mn 2 0 3 to proper molar ratios and firing, for example at about 800°C. The degree of Na content incorporated into this material during firing determines the oxidation state of the Mn and how it bonds with 0 2 locally. This material has been demonstrated to cycle between 0.33 ⁇ x ⁇ 0.66 for Na x Mn0 2 in a non-aqueous electrolyte.
• the cathode electrode may be in the form of a composite cathode comprising one or more active cathode materials (e.g., 1-49%, such as 2-10% by weight of the minor component, such as the orthorhombic tunnel structured material, a high surface area conductive diluent (such as conducting grade graphite, carbon blacks, such as acetylene black, non-reactive metals, and/or conductive polymers), a binder, a plasticizer, and/or a filler.
• active cathode materials e.g., 1-49%, such as 2-10% by weight of the minor component, such as the orthorhombic tunnel structured material, a high surface area conductive diluent (such as conducting grade graphite, carbon blacks, such as acetylene black, non-reactive metals, and/or conductive polymers), a binder, a plasticizer, and/or a filler.
• active cathode materials e.g., 1-4
• Exemplary binders may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polyvinylchloride (PVC)-based composite (including a PVC-S1O 2 composite), cellulose-based materials, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), hydrated birnassite (when the active cathode material comprises another material), other non-reactive non-corroding polymer materials, or a combination thereof.
• PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
• PVC polyvinylchloride
• PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
• hydrated birnassite when the active cathode material comprises another material
• other non-reactive non-corroding polymer materials or a combination thereof.
• a composite cathode may be formed by mixing a portion of one or more preferred active cathode materials with a conductive diluent, and/or a polymeric binder, and pressing the mixture into a pellet.
• a composite cathode electrode may be formed from a mixture of about 50 to 90 wt% active cathode material, with the remainder of the mixture comprising a combination of one or more of diluent, binder, plasticizer, and/or filler.
• a composite cathode electrode may be formed from about 80 wt% active cathode material, about 10 to 15 wt% diluent, such as carbon black, and about 5 to 10 wt% binder, such as PTFE.
• One or more additional functional materials may optionally be added to a composite cathode to increase capacity and replace the polymeric binder.
• These optional materials include but are not limited to Zn, Pb, hydrated NaMn0 2 (birnassite), and hydrated Nao .44 Mn0 2 (orthorhombic tunnel structure). In instances where hydrated NaMn0 2
• the resulting device has a dual functional material composite cathode.
• a cathode electrode will generally have a thickness in the range of about 40 to 800 ⁇ .
• the anode may comprise any material capable of reversibly storing Na-ions through surface adsorption / desorption (via an electrochemical double layer reaction and/or a pseudocapacitive reaction (i.e., a i.e. partial charge transfer surface interaction)) and have sufficient capacity in the desired voltage range.
• exemplary materials meeting these requirements include porous activated carbon, graphite, mesoporous carbon, carbon nanotubes, disordered carbon, Ti-oxide (such as titania) materials, V-oxide materials, phospho-olivine materials, other suitable mesoporous ceramic materials, and a combinations thereof.
• activated carbon is used as the anode material.
• the anode electrode may be in the form of a composite anode comprising one or more anode materials, a high surface area conductive diluent (such as conducting grade graphite, carbon blacks, such as acetylene black, non-reactive metals, and/or conductive polymers), a binder, such as PTFE, a PVC-based composite (including a PVC-S1O 2 composite), cellulose-based materials, PVDF, other non-reactive non-corroding polymer materials, or a combination thereof, plasticizer, and/or a filler.
• a high surface area conductive diluent such as conducting grade graphite, carbon blacks, such as acetylene black, non-reactive metals, and/or conductive polymers
• a binder such as PTFE, a PVC-based composite (including a PVC-S1O 2 composite), cellulose-based materials, PVDF, other non-reactive non-corroding polymer materials, or a
• a composite anode may be formed my mixing a portion of one or more preferred anode materials with a conductive diluent, and/or a polymeric binder, and pressing the mixture into a pellet.
• a composite anode electrode may be formed from a mixture from about 50 to 90 wt% anode material, with the remainder of the mixture comprising a combination of one or more of diluent, binder, plasticizer, and/or filler.
• a composite cathode electrode may be formed from about 80 wt% activated carbon, about 10 to 15 wt% diluent, such as carbon black, and about 5 to 10 wt% binder, such as PTFE.
• One or more additional functional materials may optionally be added to a composite anode to increase capacity and replace the polymeric binder.
• These optional materials include but are not limited to Zn, Pb, hydrated NaMn0 2 (birnassite), and hydrated Nao. 44 Mn0 2 (orthorhombic tunnel structure).
• An anode electrode will generally have a thickness in the range of about 80 to 1600 ⁇ .
• Electrolytes useful in embodiments of the present invention comprise a salt dissolved fully in water.
• the electrolyte may comprise a 0.1 M to 10 M solution of at least one anion selected from the group consisting of S0 4 " , N0 3 ⁇ , C10 4 " , P0 4 “ , CO 3 “ , CI “ , and/or OH " .
• Na cation containing salts may include (but are not limited to) Na 2 S0 4 , NaN0 3 , NaC10 4 , Na 3 P0 4 , Na 2 C0 3 , NaCl, and NaOH, or a combination thereof.
• the electrolyte solution may be substantially free of Na.
• cations in salts of the above listed anions may be an alkali other than Na (such as K) or alkaline earth (such as Ca, or Mg) cation.
• alkali other than Na cation containing salts may include (but are not limited to) K 2 S0 4 , KN0 3 , KC10 4 , K 3 P0 4 , K 2 C0 3 , KC1, and KOH.
• Exemplary alkaline earth cation containing salts may include CaS0 4 , Ca(N0 3 ) 2 , Ca(C10 4 ) 2 , CaC0 3 , and Ca(OH) 2 , MgS0 4 , Mg(N0 3 ) 2 , Mg(C10 4 ) 2 , MgC0 3 , and Mg(OH) 2 .
• Electrolyte solutions substantially free of Na may be made from any combination of such salts.
• the electrolyte solution may comprise a solution of a Na cation containing salt and one or more non-Na cation containing salt.
• Molar concentrations preferably range from about 0.05 M to 3 M, such as about 0.1 to 1 M, at 100°C for Na 2 S0 4 in water depending on the desired performance characteristics of the energy storage device, and the degradation / performance limiting mechanisms associated with higher salt concentrations. Similar ranges are preferred for other salts.
• a blend of different salts may result in an optimized system.
• Such a blend may provide an electrolyte with sodium cations and one or more cations selected from the group consisting of alkali (such as K), alkaline earth (such as Mg and Ca), lanthanide, aluminum, and zinc cations.
• the pH of the electrolyte may be altered by adding some additional OH " ionic species to make the electrolyte solution more basic, for example by adding NaOH other OH-containing salts, or by adding some other OH " concentration-affecting compound (such as H 2 SO 4 to make the electrolyte solution more acidic).
• the pH of the electrolyte affects the range of voltage stability window (relative to a reference electrode) of the cell and also can have an effect on the stability and degradation of the active cathode material and may inhibit proton (H + ) intercalation, which may play a role in active cathode material capacity loss and cell degradation.
• the pH can be increased to 11 to 13, thereby allowing different active cathode materials to be stable (than were stable at neutral pH 7).
• the pH may be within the range of about 3 to 13, such as between about 3 and 6 or between about 8 and 13.
• the electrolyte solution contains an additive for mitigating degradation of the active cathode material, such as birnassite material.
• An exemplary additive may be, but is not limited to, Na 2 HP0 4 , in quantities sufficient to establish a concentration ranging from 0.1 mM to 100 mM.
• a separator for use in embodiments of the present invention may comprise a cotton sheet, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), glass fiber or any other suitable material.
• the active cathode material contains alkali-atoms (preferably Na or Li) prior to use, some or all of these atoms are deintercalated during the first cell charging cycle.
• Alkali cations from the electrolyte primarily Na cations
• cations from the electrolyte are adsorbed on the anode during a charging cycle.
• the counter-anions in the electrolyte intercalate into the active cathode material, thus preserving charge balance, but depleting ionic concentration, in the electrolyte solution.
• a hybrid energy storage device having the prismatic / parallel electrical connection shown in Figure 1A and a physical structure shown in Figs. 5-7 was assembled.
• the device containing were three levels of anode 104 /cathode 106 sets (of 2 each) with an expanded graphite sheet current collector 110a, 110c structures (500 microns thick) and non- woven fibrous separator material 108, as shown in Fig. 5.
• the cathode contained a ⁇ - ⁇ 0 2 phase active material as described above, and was made from a compacted granulate of active material, carbon black, graphite powder and PTFE.
• the anode contained activated carbon mixed with carbon black and PTFE.
• Figure 12 shows the results of this testing.
• Figure 12(a) shows the device potential vs. accumulated capacity under charge and discharge conditions over 30 cycles. The cycling was performed at a C/6 current rating, and the device had a capacity of approximately 1.1 Ah. The data show near perfect overlap of the voltage profiles from cycle to cycle, indicative of a system that is extremely stable and exhibits no loss in capacity or has any internal corrosion.
• Figure 12(b) is a plot of cell charge and discharge capacity as a function of cycle. There is no loss in capacity as function of cycle through at least 60 cycles. Data from other cells indicate that this should be maintained though thousands of cycles. Also, the columbic efficiency was found to be 98 to 100% for these cycles.

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